Ohio State football: Sorting out the late-spring depth chart

A season of change in Columbus promises to mean more time is necessary for player assessment than normal for the Ohio State football team.

New coaches — including four on the defensive side — need to learn what they can about the returning players, and a handful of newcomers are working their way into the program on both sides of the ball this spring.

Junior Demario McCall, who has moved from running back to receiver and now back to running back, is also an intriguing option as perhaps something of an Eric Metcalf-type weapon in the running and passing game.

Behind returning starters Jonathon Cooper and Chase Young is a bevy of second-year standouts looking to make the next step at end: Tyreke Smith, Tyler Friday, Javonte Jean-Baptiste and Alex Williams. True freshmen Zach Harrison and Noah Potter have impressed at times, too.

At nose tackle, Wayne graduate Robert Landers has been limited by nagging injuries, but Johnson has sung the praises of Davon Hamilton, Tommy Togiai and Antwuan Jackson.

The other tackle spot is three or four deep with converted end Jashon Cornell, Taron Vincent, Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage.

Ohio State looks to be three deep at all four spots up front.

Linebacker

Like offensive line, this picture is somewhat muddled by who is and who is not available.

New assistants Jeff Hafley and Matt Barnes have a lot to sort out here after a disappointing season by the group collectively.

Damon Arnette and Jeffrey Okudah give them veterans to lean on at cornerback with Shaun Wade as a versatile option at cornerback, nickel back or safety and several youngsters vying to fill out the two deep.

“It was the same philosophy last year on offense,” Day said. “You say, ‘Well, don’t take Parris (Campbell) out of the game,’ (but) we had K.J. 'Don’t take Terry (McLaurin) out of the game,’ and we had Johnnie (Dixon). So those guys kept rolling over and over again. It’s the same thing with our D line. If they start coming out in waves like that, by the time you get to the fourth quarter and you’ve got guys who are fresh coming at you, it makes a difference.”

While managing player workloads has become an area of emphasis across the country in recent years, Day also noted the team has a pair of open Saturdays to plan for this fall.

“That being said, our great players have to play great,” he said. “We talk to our team about that all the time. Whether it is football, basketball or any sport, in order to win championships your veteran players have to play that way, so that’s a challenge, but we’ll make that list in the preseason. Figure out who’s game ready and go from there.”